Getting out of the house
If you live in Los Angeles and can't stand the isolation of sitting in front of your computer for hours on end, we recommend writing in a more social atmosphere, some place where words are flying and people are buzzing about. If you're into the Thoreau thing, you can always go to Griffith park or cruise on down to Santa Monica or Venice to write on the beach. However, the beach probably isn't the greatest idea if you want to write on a laptop, and if you're like most writers who like to write outside the home, you'll probably want to curl up in some coffee shop or diner to write your masterpiece. The following suggestions are for you...
Coffee Shops
18th Street Coffee Shop - Santa Monica, CA. A writer's haven. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available. Nice light, very lively. Booths are roomy (if you can get one). Highly recommended if you're in the area.
Psychobabble – Los Feliz. Another strong recommendation. Upper and lower level. Comedy nights are always fun. Bourgeois Pig – Hollywood. If you're into dark interiors, this is your place. Pool tables. Tanner's Coffee Shop – Playa Del Rey. Small but cramped. Nice light and a nice atmosphere. Within walking distance to the beach. Hours are limited.
Anastasia's Asylum – Santa Monica. Open late hours. Dark interior. Ten blocks to the beach.
Late Night Food Spots Sometimes a coffee shop will close at 2 am . That's when they kick out the starving artists and writers. But…you do have somewhere to go. We have four good recommendations. Canter's Deli on Fairfax – Open all night. It closes once in a millennium. Go out and get yourself a bowl of Matza Ball soup and watch a myriad of Hollywood nightlife walk in and out.
Norm's Diner – If you're looking for a greasy spoon like the one you grew up around, Norm's is your place. If you want a patty melt or steak and eggs, Norm's will give you the meal you expect at a good price. They have many locations, and they're open all night.
George's – Los Feliz on Vermont – Cool and hip, you'll feel like you're in the ‘70s. Very pricey for diner type food. However, it's located within a pretty cool strip of shops (half a block from Psychobabble Café), and it's open all night.
Chuan Chim – Hollywood Boulevard and Wilton – Do you like Thai Food? Chuan Chim is the best for the price, and they're open until 3 am . A screenwriter's safe haven. We recommend that you go to eat and observe, not write.
If you don't live in Hollywood , you're on your own. I'm sure there's at least a Starbucks right around the corner from where you live. I don't recommend writing at a friend or neighbor's house. If you need to get out that badly, I would build a tree house.
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